I've worked in companies during both flush times and tight times. It was nice when they would pay for courses and conferences. But against my advice these items are often dropped first in cutbacks and I observe employee skills suffer. Maybe because I've earned my way through college and have a science background that I decide to still educate myself. Choose the more rewarding conferences, do fewer of them, stay local and cheaper etc. Online training and conference has become better in recent years. I have observed the complainers i.e. "i wont lft a finger to educate myself unless the company pays for it" tend to be let go first in the numerous layoffs I have observed.
These costs are tax deductable once they exceed 2% of your salary, but I havent gone that far yet.